Gerard Rennick’s proposal puts lobbyists’ cash under microscope

Many lobbyists are former political staffers who use their connections to seek a political outcome that’s advantageous to their clients, a maverick LNP senator claims.

Lobbyists would be forced to disclose how much money their biggest clients pay them to get results, under a proposal from a maverick LNP senator.

Queensland senator Gerard Rennick has raised fears around the lack of transparency around the amount of money received by lobbyists given their potential to influence government decisions.

He is calling for lobbyists to face disclosure thresholds similar to those faced by people, companies and organisations making political donations.

Senator Gerard Rennick. Picture: NCA NewsWire/Gary Ramage

It would mean companies such as Anacta Strategies would potentially have to reveal how much clients like Lion, Tabcorp and Glencore were paying for their services.

Senator Rennick made the call in a submission to the parliamentary committee on electoral matters.

“Many lobbyists are former political staffers who use their political connections or influence to seek a political outcome that is advantageous to their clients,” he stated in the submission.

“Money paid to lobbyists therefore holds the real potential to influence government policies, especially those regarding the allocation of government grants and subsidies.

“Lobbyists should be required to declare payments, above a designated threshold, received from clients within 28 days of receipt.”

Attorney-General Shannon Fentiman. Picture: NCA NewsWire/Tertius Pickard

While lobbyists are currently required to publish who their clients are on a public register, Senator Rennick said this information should also include payment details.

He did not propose a specific threshold for disclosure.

The donation disclosure threshold is currently $15,200 and increasing with the consumer price index from July 1 each year.

State Attorney-General Shannon Fentiman has also made a submission to the committee, which examines potential electoral reforms after each federal election, listing details of recent electoral reforms in Queensland.

These included the lower $1000 donation disclosure threshold and real-time disclosure, though she stopped short of making specific recommendations.

The federal parliament does not have real-time disclosure of donations and in 2020, Prime Minister Anthony Albanese backed disclosure reforms while still in opposition.

Special Minister of State Don Farrell has since the election indicated he wanted to see the federal donation disclosure slashed to $1000 in real-time disclosure introduced, but that he would wait until after the committee had examined the details.